Scott Swanson
Of The New Era
Ron Walker and his buddies believe that lake fishing needs a boost in Oregon.
River fishing gets financial help and support from the Northwest Steelheaders, he says, but there’s no organization to encourage and support fishing in inland lakes and reservoirs.
“The primary focus is inland fisheries in general, not so much the species,” Walker said. ”
Hence, the founding of Kokanee Power of Oregon, a group modeled after Kokanee Power California.
The Central California Inland Fisheries, Kokanee and Salmon Foundation, Inc., as it is officially called, was established in 1998 to conduct education, research, and enhancement activities regarding California sport fisheries – specifically the Kokanee and Chinook Salmon programs in the inland waters of California after the California Department of Fish and Game stopped funding the raising and stocking of Kokanee salmon in California waters.
Since then, Kokanee Power California, as it is known, has contracted with California Department of Fish and Game to donate $5,000 annually, which will qualify for triple Federal matching funds making Kokanee Power’s donation a total of $20,000 dollars annually, according to the group’s Web site.
Walker, who moved to Sweet Home two years ago from Clear Lake, Calif., said he and others had supported the California group, but decided they wanted their money to fund projects closer to home.
“Why shouldn’t we have our own action?” he said.
Kokanee Power of Oregon was formed March 22 and numbers more than 30 members, though the numbers are growing almost daily, Walker said.
Most of the current membership is congregated around Southern Oregon, but Walker said people from Albany and Lebanon have joined. The president is Greg Graham of the Medford area and vice president is Rick Fielder of Rogue River, whose real job is general manager of Rogue Rods.
“We’re patterning ourselves off California because they’re doing it right,” said Walker, who describes himself as “just a member who’s recruiting more members.
“The membership will eventually be statewide,” he said. “We’re not focusing on any one area. We’re just trying to get the word out so we can recruit some members.”
Kokanee Power Oregon plans to eventually hold eight derbies, seminars, sports show and boat store booths, and an annual banquet.
All proceeds will go to benefit fish stocking programs and community service projects, Walker said. He said members want to assist with egg harvesting, fish tagging and trout and Kokanee plants. He said that, like the California group, they plan to offer high school and college fisheries programs and scholarships.
They also want to build trout pens where they can raise and place trout through the winter months, prior to releasing them in the spring. Kokanee Power California has eight such pens at Shasta Lake and three other Northern California lakes.
“The (California) Department of Fish and Game provides the fish and Kokanee provides the food and manpower,” Walker said.
For more information regarding Kokanee Power, or to become a member, visit http://www.kokaneepower.org/oregon or e-mail [email protected] or call (541) 324-6731.